Happy NYE...some Besties of 2011

Well it's almost 2012...just a few hours left.

For me, this year has been one filled with some incredible moments/events/doings and I thought why not go back and...

some of the highlights.

To begin with,  #projectkitchengorgeous began and was finished.

It's without doubt the absolute kitchen of my dreams.

And to end the year off right, we've just found out that it's officially going to be published- hopefully you'll be seeing some big glossy photos of it this year!!!! Meredith and I are happy dancing x a million.

If you feel like looking back and reading about the whole kitchen journey, clickski HERE and HERE.

And do you know what else happened in 2011?

Well I was a One Kings Lane Tastemaker for god sakes...

...to see my living room on that website was well...ah-maazing...

You can read all about it HERE.

And you know what else made my 2011 pretty fantastic?

Well being asked by House and Home to do a little video...that's what.

I was kind of terrified to be on TV but you know what...I didn't hate it- actually kind of liked it so definitely a highlight of the year...I even got to see that little photo of me in a print issue...very cool.

And speaking of TV, I'm going to be on it again....mark your calendars for January 12th...I'll be telling you the network/show info early next week but for now, I'll tell you that my living room, foyer and Mac's room will be featured on a show, along with a guided tour from yours truly...fun, fun, fun...I think....I haven't seen the video yet...please god let me not hate myself;)

And finally, in 2011 marked the beginning of a new idea.

While out to dinner with the very fabulous Jennifer, Lindsey and Heather, a possible business venture for yours truly was talked about...and you know what, I'm going to make it happen.

I don't want to say too much about it but I will tell you that I'm working on a website and you'll be able to buy shit on it...good shit.

Stay tuned my friends;)

So with that little look back at 2011, I want to end of by saying thank you.

This blog has continued to be an absolute haven of creativity and joy for me.

It's given me a way to...

though to be honest...it's also the reason I'm always buying so much- ha!!!

But that's not the point is it...the words do say what's most important...blogging really has given all of us an audience to share those special moments with and well, that sure does this girl's heart alot of good.

For all of us, my wish for 2012 is that we collectively through the idea of resolutions out the window and instead...a wish to each of us....

Here's to that promise my friends.

I hope we all start 2012 knowing that....

{via}

And that through blogging, we get to make it together.

How's that for some mushball cheese;)

Love you.

xo

Art Meets Decor

As you know, I'm currently offering up an original work of art from the very inspiring Kim Davies.

If you haven't already entered, well you should...and if you're not sure what could be yours, here's a little peak at some of the brand spanking new pieces in Kim's shop....along with a little room pretty...an art meets decor if you will.

{photos via}

How's that for some art fantastic?

I'll be drawing for the winner on Monday so make sure you get your 8 entries in by clicking HERE.

And with that, I'm off to clean my house.

We're having a few friendlies over for drinks etc. tonight so I must get the house back together after the Christmas crazy.

xo

Spoils, Labels and a Few Guest Posts

Well hello there.

How was your holiday?

Was Santa good to you?

I had a delightful Christmas...one that treated me WAY too well...especially since it was supposed to be the year of 'scaling back'...so much for that grande idea.

This actually turned out to be the year of the coat and the book.

Every one in my family, with the exception of the teenager, got at least one coat...I got two.

First, there is this delightful number from my parents...fun, fun, fun...not much I love more than a giant fur collar.

And then there is coat two...my husband went way over the deep end with his me gift but....well I adore it.

More on that in a bit.

First, the other goodies.

As I said earlier, there were coats and books mostly.

I got two pretty coffee table numbers from my parents and daughter...Helmut Newtown Poloroids from the teenager....

and The Faces of Fashion Vogue Models from my rental units...

Love both.

And you know what else I like...the Christmas artwork I got.

Like this Debbie Carlos print that just completed my art wall...

...this illustration {top one} that arrived from the very talented Eleni Sofroniou...

aka Store Around the Corner...

and finally in the art/Christmas department...I'm beyond smitten with this ah-maaazing print that literally arrived minutes ago from my incredibly talented friend, Nancy Marcus...

could you die?

I could.

I'm not sure where this pretty is going yet but I'll keep you posted...I'm thinking foyer somewhere...or the master...we shall see.

Along with the art, coats and books, there was also this....a DIY present gone rogue...

The coffee table was supposed to be a gift to my parents.

After seeing this DIY over on Bryn Alexandra, I had my trusty friend Tim gold leaf the legs.

Only problem...the table is 10" high and that just wouldn't work in my parents living room...their ceilings are like 15ft., the room is ginormous and well...the table is wee so...I'm keeping it.

This means that the live edge number that was there before is now up for sale...along with 30 or so other things, which PS, are rendering our garage and play room unusable disaster zones...arg.

Anyhoo...

Back to prezzies...

Along with the above, I was also spoiled with some clothes, nail polish, hats/scarves/mits, jammies and finally, though definitely not least...this....

Yup...I'm now the VERY proud owner of that Burberry coat goodness on the right.

Now let me just say something about this.

I am NOT a label girl...now this doesn't mean I don't love to shop/buy but I just have never seen the need to spend so much more just to get a name on something...I've never spent more than $400 on a coat or a pair of shoes...ever...well except for on my honeymoon in Paris but you get the general gist.

Sure I have a few goodies from various 'houses' but truly, I don't seek the stuff out....mostly because I prefer to spend the cash on things for my house.

BUT...and this is a big but...of all the things I truly needed, a good winter coat was it...and although I never would have spent the money myself, and as much as I was a little annoyed with husband for going more than slightly above our agreed upon budget, I truly love it.

And...I'm beginning to think there might just be reasons for this whole quality over quantity thing.

I have probably purchased a winter wool coat every 2/3 years since I was 20 and you know what, they have always fallen apart after a couple of Canadian winters under their belt...I've of course spent anywhere from $100-$300 on each and replaced them without much thought.

So for those of you who do invest on quality pieces, I have a question for you.

Have you found shelling out the extra cash to be worth it?

Does the label actually mean real quality?

I'm thinking in my coat's case, the answer is yes.

It feels so wonderfully soft and is obviously tailored impeccably.

Not to mention that I look like a zillion dollars in it...the coat is basically making me want winter all year round just so I can look at myself in it.

It's also occurred to me how easily I spend money on some things {like dying my hair at PS, $300ish a pop every 3 months or a pair of shoes that I'll buy for an evening out without a second thought} but feel so much more guilty about it when it's for the things that I really should invest in.

Weird.

This coat is also making me think that a closet overhaul is looooong overdue.

I can't even walk in my walk in anymore- it's packed to the brim with some great things, but lots of crap.

I'm taking this quality over quantity thing and running with it I think.

The credit card is on disability for the next few months but that doesn't mean I can't cull all the nonsense and see what's really worth keeping.

Yup...I'm doing it...that's officially my New Year's resolution...you heard it here first.

Master/my closet overhaul 2012 is in the works.

And you what else is happening?

My She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not guest post over at the fabulous Michaela Noelle Designs.

Click HERE to see some things I loving...

and some things I'm not...

And make sure you stick around to read up on all her good stuff...there's plenty of it!!!!

There's also a giant load of pretty over at L.A. in the Bay...I posted a few of my favourite Christmas memories over there last week and am just now linking over...bad, bad...I'm blaming the holiday craze...anyhoo...you can click HERE to see what things I love most about this glorious time of year...there's a little of this involved of course...

And with that veeeerrrryyy long post...I'll say later skaters for now.

Oh and PS, I'll be posting some decor/family shots once my teenager returns from her annual pilgrimage to Montreal with our camera in tow;)

Kisses.

xo

I Decorated...A Little

As you know, the big shoot meant that I wasn't able to decorate for Christmas.

But now that the filming has wrapped, I've decked the halls...small scale...

which equates to a mini white tree, some gold/pink/pearl balls in every empty bowl possible, and many pink poinsettias.

Simple but pretty...and done!

Now it's time to shop for every gift on my list...and it's going to have to be completed in record time...which would be a much easier task if my little love bunny didn't look like this...

Chicken pox a few days before Christmas...awesome $#$^&@#(*%)(*

And PS, I took that photo yesterday...his face is now completely covered and he was up most of the night twisting and contorting in this half sleep/itch induced full body pretzel...insert mommy tears.

On a happier note...if you didn't see my Kim Davies giveaway post yesterday, make sure you link back and enter for your chance to win an ORIGINAL of your choice...a little something like this...

of this...

or this...

could be yours...so so good.

Click HERE to enter!!!

And with that, I'm going to wish you a VERY happy holidays!!!!!

Like many of you, I'll be taking the next couple of days off to enjoy the family and presents and food and wine.

Merry, merrry.

xo

A Holiday Giveaway - Kim Davies !!!!

I am BEYOND...and I mean BEYOND excited today.

Why you ask?

Well...because it's holiday giveaway time here on B&B and because I love you all like red velvet cupcakes, I have an amazingly gorgeous, perfectly fabulous, stunningly pretty...something to offer....and it comes straight from my new favourite Australian artist...

...yes, that's right...today you are lucky duckies because you now have the chance to win an ORIGINAL art piece from the incredibly talented Kim Davies.

Are you dancing around the room yet?

I hope so.

It's good for the soul.

If you say my post from yesterday, you know I am lucky enough to own 3 of Ms. Davies works....

and let me tell you, this lady is the swizzlesticks...her illustrations are so feminine and pretty, with a good amount of edge thrown in for extra fabulousness.

I'm her biggest fan and utterly tickled that she's chosen these pages for such a divine giveaway.

If you're wondering what might be yours soon, here's a little glimpse at her portfolio...and PS, I had a very hard time narrowing down what to show you so be prepared.

First some of Kim's illustrations...

And then, some contemporary paintings...

And for you...your CHOICE of ANY ORIGINAL illustration from her brand spankin new Etsy shop...

{sorry for the triple caps but I can't help it...excited}

Here's a few of the pieces that could soon be yours...

Are you dying in a good way?

I hope so.

And just in case you're a little afraid of the boudoir pretties {which you shouldn't be...embrace the boobs}...or are looking for something not quite as girly, Kim also draws adorbs animals...

So much amazingness to choose from!!

Now, let's get down to business.

TO ENTER:

Simply leave a comment below.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES: 

{and please leave a separate comment for each one you do}

1. Like Kim Davies/Inspired Lines on Facebook

2. Follow Kim Davies/Inspired Lines on Twitter

3. Follow Kim's blog, Inspired Lines

4. Make Kim an Etsy Favourite

5. Visit Kim's Etsy shop and tell me which piece is your favourite

6.  Become a new follower of B&B

7. Tweet the giveaway

{enter to win an ORIGINAL illustration from @Inspired_Lines & @bijouandboheme http://bijouandboheme.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-giveaway-kim-davies.html?spref=twl}

So there you go...that's a total of 8 entries you can have.

If it was me, I'd be taking every one.

Happy Holidays lovers...I'll draw for the winner on New Year's Day...that gives you a whopping 11 days to enter!!!

Kisses, your welcomes and...

xo